Woman hurt in horse carriages accident still in Mass. hospital

HAMPTON FALLS — The Epping woman who was flown to Beth Israel Medical Center in Boston after being involved in a horse-drawn carriage accident was still in critical condition Monday afternoon.

On Sunday afternoon, police responded to an accident at Applecrest Farm involving two horse-drawn carriages that sent six people to the hospital.

Both State Police and Hampton Falls police responded to the accident. Also aiding on the scene were members of the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office and the Hampton Falls Fire Department.

An initial investigation by police revealed each carriage was being drawn by two horses, and each carriage was traveling in an opposite direction when a portion of one of the carriages malfunctioned.

Police said the carriage operators each lost control of the animals, resulting in an accident that sent multiple people to the hospital.

Joan Perkins, 51, of Epping, suffered critical injuries, and Gregory Dow, 50, of Nottingham, suffered serious injuries. Both were taken to Exeter Hospital, and Perkins was later transported via medical helicopter to Beth Israel Medical Center in Boston. As of Monday afternoon, Perkins was still in critical condition, but hospital officials would not describe the extent of her injuries.

Exeter Hospital officials said by Monday afternoon, Dow was no longer a patient at the hospital.

Four other people involved in the accident were treated at Exeter Hospital for minor injuries.

Officials said they are still investigating the accident.

The accident remains under investigation by State Police, OSHA, and the Rockingham County Attorney's Office. Anyone with further information relating to the incident is asked to contact Trooper Matthew T. Locke at (603) 223-8490 or by email at matthew.locke@dos.nh.gov.